Twelve-goal star Mark LeCras could claim the tag of best small forward in the AFL, but his West Coast coach John Worsfold still has plans to play him out of attack in the future.

LeCras' display of leading, strong marking and magnificent kicking against Essendon on Saturday night earned him the biggest haul by any player in the AFL since Scott Cummings booted 14 goals for the Eagles in 2000.

LeCras finished with 12.2 in the Eagles' 20.12 (132) to 14.16 (100) win, which broke West Coast's seven-game losing streak.

After 58 goals last year, LeCras has booted 50 goals this campaign and has been a shining light for a side that still sits on the bottom with four wins.

But Worsfold said for all LeCras' attributes as a forward, he envisaged a time when he could slot the 23-year-old into the midfield.

"Absolutely I think he's got the ability to play in the midfield," Worsfold said.

"We're building some of the younger players through there and he's had some soreness throughout the year so we've been nursing him through a fair bit.

"But when the time's right we'll see him more up through there.

"Overall for our development down the track we think we'll be able to get a big spread of goal kickers and Leca will add value in the midfield at times as well."

Worsfold was a two-time premiership player with the Eagles and coached the club to its 2006 premiership win, and rated LeCras' performance "right up there" with the club's greatest achievements.

"It's the number of opportunities he had (last) night," he said.

"He's been a great player all year for us and he's kicked goals all year for us.

"We knew he marks on the lead, we know he's clever on the ground, so he didn't do anything that we're not aware of, just the weight of it (last) night was great."

LeCras' feat capped a great match for the Eagles, who unearthed another small forward in Ashton Hams (three goals), won on the road for only the third time in three seasons and strung together some eye-catching football.

Worsfold said the night would have given supporters a lot of joy in an otherwise tough season.

"We're not happy being where we are, but we're very clear on where we want to get to and we've got a plan we're going to stick to and hopefully see the rewards down the track come through strongly," he said.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP